Not Letting Go

Chapter 29

The couple walked out into the cold air and all Max could think about was how much she wanted to hold Kate as an excuse for warmth, or vice versa. She didn't known Kate was thinking the exact same thing. They paused a few feet outside the door, remembering they were going to see if Vi came out. Sure enough, she appeared with Roland and Liz. Vi's eyes lit up when she saw the girls.

"My babies are still here!"

Roland reached out in a futile attempt to stop her when she lunged at them. The way she walked and smelled made it apparent she'd been drinking. Soon her speech began to indicate it as well.

She stumbled through some words as she said, "My sweet babies came to see me play." Vi hung on either girl's shoulder, then pulled at their necks to come closer to her. They kept their heads up though and so Vi only was able to pull herself closer, placing her head in between them both. While looking down, Vi's slurring became more pronounced as she said, "Is it weird you're like my kids and my friends too? No, is not weird..." The girls did not have a chance to reply as she answered her own question.

Max confirmed her guess though, "It's not weird, Vi. Hey, so...you did great. We loved seeing you up there."

Kate added, "Yeah, it was my first real show."

Vi brought her head up and looked at Kate with a big grin. "I popped your concert cherry? Fuck yeah...oh, sorry Maxie Max. Should moved quicker..."

"She actually played guitar for me before..." Kate reluctantly mentioned.

"Oh, really!? A private show. Miss Maxie you dirty dog. I knew you had it in you...so you were the first, good...that's good...just like it should be..."

Max and Kate had mixed feelings about that, the song being a grieving love song to Chloe. Luckily, Liz jumped in and the conversation shifted to her.

"Hi there. You two must be Max and Kate. I'm Liz," she said evenly. It was unclear if it was Vi or themselves that were making the jet black haired girl have her guard up. The brunette took a closer look at her. She seemed to have some Asian descent, but it was hard to place. Her hair was chin length with bangs. Her eyes were beautiful, but were currently almost stone cold.

Max said, "Hey, Liz."

Kate then said, "Hi, so nice to meet you, Liz. I love your band. You guys were great."

This actually perked Liz up and she leaned in to tell Roland quietly, "You hear that? My band. Vi would flip if she was sober." Her cheerfulness quickly faded as she looked back to Vi. Liz frowned and elbowed Roland. "Let's go get her home," she said loud enough for the girls to overhear.

Roland said, "Okay, Vi. Let's get your bike into the van with the gear and get you home."

"What? Why? Fuck dude, I'm not done loving my babies...they're so cute, look at them..."

"Sorry, Vi. It's time."

Vi pouted, but let Roland and Liz guide her away, still scowling at them all the while. She leaned heavily on her male friend and Liz actually hung back after getting her a few feet away.

"Bye Vi!" Max said.

Kate shouted, "Love you, Vi!"

They could just barely hear their friend say, "Bye, my babies!" They soon disappeared in the distance.

Liz addressed the girls, saying, "We're going to get her home, but I'm guessing I'll be seeing you around, so bye for now."

"Is she going to be okay?" Kate asked, concern pasted on her face.